Was Sidney Poitier one of the greatest actors of all time?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the legacy and impact of Sidney Poitier as an actor, with a focus on his performances in various films. Participants share their personal impressions and favorite roles, reflecting on his contributions to cinema and cultural representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Poitier's performances, particularly highlighting "Lillies of the Field" as a commanding role, noting its subtlety compared to "In the Heat of the Night".
  • Others mention "To Sir, with Love" as an uplifting story that showcases Poitier's talent.
  • One participant recalls Poitier's role in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" as significant for its time, given the social context of 1967.
  • Additional films such as "Buck and the Preacher", "Shoot to Kill", and "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs" are mentioned, indicating a range of his work.
  • A participant notes Poitier's age and circumstances when filming in South Africa, suggesting a noteworthy aspect of his career.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express admiration for Poitier's work, but there is no consensus on which performance is the greatest or most impactful, as different films resonate with different individuals.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reference specific performances and their cultural significance, but there are no detailed analyses of the films' themes or broader implications.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in film history, cultural representation in cinema, or the contributions of notable actors may find this discussion relevant.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59907931

An amazing actor. I was impressed in pretty much everything I saw him in, but I remember most fondly his "Lillies of the Field". It was less over the top powerful than his role in "In the Heat of the Night" but it was in its own way an even more commanding performance.
 
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phinds said:
I was impressed in pretty much everything I saw him in, but I remember most fondly his "Lillies of the Field". It was less over the top powerful than his role in "In the Heat of the Night" but it was in its own way an even more commanding performance.
And "To Sir, with Love (1967)", which is an uplifting story.

Edit/upate: I just remembered "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967). Sidney Portier starred with Kathryn Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and Hepburn's niece Katharine Houghton. It was way out there for 1967.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guess_Who's_Coming_to_Dinner
 
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phinds said:
I remember most fondly his "Lillies of the Field". It was less over the top powerful than his role in "In the Heat of the Night" but it was in its own way an even more commanding performance.
He got the best actor Oscar for Lillies of the Field(!)
 
Buck and the Preacher, Shoot to Kill, and They Call Me Mr. Tibbs.
 

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